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Hi All, I have an interesting issue I am trying to chase down. On Friday morning, I started my bike and cut the choke too soon, killing the bike. I went to restart it, and my electronics completely shut off. Tail light died and neutral light went out. I checked my fuses, pulling them all...

My 1980 XS with Stock ignition and fuel system is having trouble revving. I can't go past 4000 rpm, whether I am cruising down the road, or if its in neutral in my driveway. It almost feels like the bike cuts off temporarily, like when you bump start it, but it won't start. But as far as I...

Hey guys. I'm planning another cross country trip for this summer and after doing one almost two years ago, I have come to the realization that having a tank bag would be nice. Do any of you use one? What would you recommend? I am looking for a good quality bag that will last a while. Price...

Hi all, I'm installing the commando exhaust from Mikes. Installation was going smoothly until I attempted to attach the hanger to the frame at the passenger foot peg. But the peg design and hanger design are incompatible. The peg has a metal tab that keeps it from rotating on the stud...

I'm planning on replacing my exhaust and perhaps putting on pods. From what I have gathered, I will have to rejet my carbs after doing that. What is involved for that? I don't want to just have to buy a bunch of different needles, so can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.

I'm planning for another cross country trip on my XS and am coming into some money to do things on my bike I haven't had a chance to get around to. I ride a 1980 XS650 Special and had a few questions. First, I want to put a PMA on my bike. Does the kit from Hugh's Handbuilt have everything I...

Hi all. I'm currently recovering from a surgery, and therefor have way too much time on my hands. So I've been thinking about what needs to be done to my bike. After a cursory search with no results, I just have one question. Can the clutch be replaced with the engine in the frame? Or do I...

I am ordering some more parts for the bike and was wondering if there is a way to reduce the amount of bouncing on my center stand. Right now, every time I hit a bump, the center stand almost hits the ground. Would a new spring help this? Or is it just part of having a center stand installed...

Hi all. It appears my friend overtorqued my valve covers a bit when helping me reassemble the bike and the threads stripped out of the case. Can this be fixed cheaply, i.e. JB welded back in? Or would it be worth tapping a new hole and using a thread insert/helicoil? Thanks.

Hey all. When I start my bike, shoots acrid smelling white smoke out the exhaust for a minute or two until it warms up. From what I have gathered from reading, white smoke is gas, not oil. But I'm not quite sure where to go from here. What could be the cause.

So I am looking to replace my rotor since my bike is not charging and the rotor reads 80k-100k ohms between the brass slip rings. What I am wondering is what I should do about a new rotor. Should I buy one from MikesXS? How is the quality. Should I get it rewound at Custom Rewind? What do...

Hi all, I am trying to figure out why my battery isn't charging by following the charging guide in the tech section. I am getting stuck at the regulator test. The guide says to short the green wire to ground. How am i supposed to short that wire with the regulator plugged in? or a I...

I lowsided at about 5-10 mph today due to wet tires and stupidity. Anyways, my handlebars and left footpeg seem to have taken the brunt of the damage. What else should I check just to be safe? Thanks.

Hi there, I noticed that i seem to have a little bit of oil dripping from the right exhaust pipe. Reading around, it sounds as though it may be the exhaust valve seal. Don't know if this is right though. I'm pulling the engine out of the frame this week to replace all the gaskets so I...

Can somebody explain how to tell if my clutch is slipping? What are the symptoms/signs. I know what it feels like on a car, but have never experienced it on a motorcycle. Thanks a lot.

I think my oil delivery base bolt is either stripped or the threads in the case are stripped. I'm looking for a way to stop the leaking coming from the bolt. I have thought about using JB weld or Soldering it like you would plumbing, but I have no idea if either of these is a good way to go...

I just changed my oil and found some orange/red rubber pieces under my sump filter cover. Anybody have any ideas what they might be? Thanks.

I holed my left piston last week due to advanced timing. I'm working on fixing, but I need to replace the piston. My question is can I bore out one cylinder to 1st oversize and leave the other one stock, or do I need to bore out both and replace both pistons? Thanks.

My Cam lobes and rocker arms appear to be pretty worn. Is it possible to use a used camshaft in good condition with new rocker arms? Or will that cause problems? If I have to get both camshaft and rocker arms new, is there a good place to get an affordable (read cheaper) new camshaft? Thanks.

Hey all, I was riding along and my engine went to shit this morning. I got it to a shop and they said it needs a top end rebuild. I'm fairly confident in my wrenching skills, so I don't mind doing it, but I'm trying to get an idea of how much it's going to cost me in parts. Thanks a lot.